Why the lie? Easy. The state of NJ has just awarded the yeshiva $10 million. Unfortunately, its illegal to provide public money to an organization that engages in discrimination. So if Lakewood wants to keep the money, they have only two choices: They can throw open their doors to women and non Jews, or they can pretend the doors are already wide open. They've chosen choice B.

And now let's say a word about the soul-numbing hypocrisy of one of our major rabbinic organizations. When a left-leaning Orthodox Jewish institution decided to create a new synagogue leadership position for women, the RCA lost its lunch. "They're deviating from our Mesorah," screamed the RCA from the rooftops. "This new position you've created is too similar to "Rabbi!" And women can't be Rabbis! So what you're doing is anti-Torah and must be protested!"

But when a right-leaning Orthodox Jewish institution scams the state of NJ out of $10 million dollars and then protects the scam with a transparent lie, what does the RCA say and do? This:

[ nothing ]

And I'll tell you something else. If the Ludmirer Moyde emerged today and if she was accepted by the Hasidim our day to the extent that she was accepted by the Hasidim of the 19th century you can bet the gutless wonders at the RCA would be too frightened to utter a single word of protest.

If it relates to Jews, Judaism, holidays, Midrash,Torah, halacha or anything similar, I probably have a post on it. And if I have a post on it, I probably have a good comment thread with great reader-provided information, too.

Try a search and see for yourself. If you can't find what you're looking for ask me.

Quotes

רֹאשׁ דְּבָרְךָ אֱמֶת קוֹרֵא מֵרֹאשׁ דּוֹר וָדוֹר עַם דּוֹרֶשְׁךָ דְּרֹשׁ
Your chief word is "truth"; You've called it out since the beginning. In each generation people interpret You [for themselves] and find [their own] meaning.

You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you odd. -Flannery O'Connor

“When in the afterglow of religious insight I can see a way that is good for all humans as it is for me—I will know it is His way.” - R. Abraham Joshua Heschel

I don't accept at all the quite popular argument that the press is responsible for the monarchy's recent troubles. The monarchy's responsible for the monarchy's recent troubles. To blame the press is the old thing of blaming the messenger for the message. -Anthony Holden

Said behind my back

"...he's trying to show that there are other facets to Orthodox Judaism. That we don't all think one way and vote one way. And he's occasionally entertaining when he's not being mean-spirited" [PsychoToddler]"

"He's witty. He's funny. He appreciates the ridiculous in life, and has no qualms about telling you when he thinks that you're being a moron" [Cara]

" I'm pretty sure [DovBear] is a really great guy who just wants to be able to ask questions and talk about things without the fear of someone claiming he's off the derech or on his way there." [Chaviva]